Paragliding around Castellane
Gréolieres is a small village in the Alpes-Maritimes near Castellane, nestling at 840m against the Cheiron mountain. Its peaks rise to an altitude of 1778m, making it a magnificent vantage point overlooking the Côte d'Azur to the south and the Mercantour to the east, with perfect weather conditions for nature sports. During your paragliding flights we like to take you on a guided tour of our favourite playgroundthe gorges du loup, where we take you on a journey of discovery. super canyoning tripsthe Monts d'Azur reserve where you can admire majestic animals and the pretty hilltop villages of Coursegoules, Cipières and Gréolieres ... We also regularly fly with the local fauna, eagles and vultures and early in the morning on our discovery flights You can spot chamois and roe deer wandering around on the plateau backing onto the mountain. Gréolieres also has the advantage of being fairly easy to reach from Nice for your holiday. tandem flight, Grasses but also Cannes and the whole of the Côte d'Azur. In fact, many of you come to spend a weekend on the Côte d'Azur when you land at Nice airport and then come and enjoy the high country and its . We also like to recommend some very good village restaurants where you can eat after the flights, another way of enjoying the charm of the hinterland. In short, the Gréo site is a must for nature lovers in search of a thrill. Flying the ridges also allows us to perform the aerobatics that so many of you have been asking us to do. If the height is right, we can perform beautiful acrobatics facing the sea.
Want to discover Castellane from a unique angle ? Imagine yourself free as a bird, flying over the Verdon gorges and the magnificent landscapes of Provence. With paragliding, every flight becomes a experience an unforgettable blend of gentleness and adrenalin. From the craggy peaks of the Alps to the dazzling turquoise of the Castillon and Sainte-Croix lakes, the view is simply magical.
Guided by qualified instructors, set off for a baptism in complete safety, an initiation or even a course for the most passionate. Accessible to all, adults and children alike, this aerial sport is an invitation to soar above the landscape, play with the currents and explore exceptional places like the Barrême plateau or the hilltop villages of Castellane and Digne.
Book your place now and let yourself be seduced by an activity that combines nature, emotion and freedom. Ready to try this extraordinary aerial journey?
Customer testimonials
Thanks to Pierrot for this canyoning session at top👍🏻Une. Great atmosphere, great professionalism, easy communication via WhatsApp for the booking.
Exceptional!!!
Thank you Pierrot for this magical moment. I highly recommend it. If you're looking for a passionate and ultra-professional paragliding instructor, he'll be able to guide you with expertise and safety. An unforgettable experience, in complete confidence, a must!
Incredible experience.
You can't go wrong with the Ailéments / Gréolières combo.
Pierre Yves is passionate and professional.
I recommend to 100%. ✅
FAQ about paragliding lessons around Castellane
How to get to the gates of the Verdon?
It all depends on where you're coming from. From Grenoble, we recommend taking the D1075 towards Lus-la-Croix-Haute, Sisteron and Digne les Bains, a very pleasant dirt road. From Nice or the Côte d'Azur, take the Route Napoléon via Escragnolles or Gréolieres towards Castellane. You're sure to come across a few bison along the way. mountain reserve d'Azur. Coming from the Valensol plateau or the Var it's a good idea to go via Digne les bains or Comps sur Artuby. Here, too, the route is well worth the diversions, on the border between the three départements of Var Alpes-Maritimes and Alpes de Haute Provence provide an ideal playground.
When is the best time to fly in the Verdon?
The Verdon is so famous that tourists from all over the world come to spend their holidays in this beautiful corner of nature. This means that during the summer months, there are a lot of people on the roads, the activities are often very popular and the restaurants are full to bursting. Of course, the flights are magnificent in summer, but if you're looking for a quieter time with access to nature activities, then spring and autumn are very good times of year. The landscapes are also different, the lakes sparkle and the autumn colours are warm and radiant.
What should I wear for my first paragliding experience?
This is a difficult question for us to answer, because in the Alpes-Maritimes we fly all year round. The flights are different according to the season, and all have their own charms and particularities. In spring, the conditions and the scenery are ideal for contemplative flights, but also for long-distance flights. The peaks are covered in snow and the sunshine is generous, which allows us to make some very beautiful ascent or prestige flights. Autumn and winter are great times to enjoy quiet, contemplative flights, so we recommend the Discovery flight, as well as the Ski Flight at the Gréolières les Neiges ski resort, or the Walk and Fly. In summer, we devote this section of the site to the teaching period, but paragliding We fly in shorts and a T-shirt until the sun goes down - a real pleasure! In short, you've got it right, come when you want, you won't be disappointed.
Why choose Gréolières near Castellane for paragliding?
1. Breathtaking scenery
Gréolières, perched at an altitude of almost 1,000 metres, offers a unique setting for paragliding. From the air, you can admire :
- The Préalpes de Grasse and the Massif du Cheiron, with their lush green slopes and imposing cliffs, make for an experience rich in emotion.
- An uninterrupted view all the way to the Mediterranean on sunny days.
- The proximity of the Gorges du Verdon, whose turquoise waters and rugged terrain are a spectacle in themselves.
2. Ideal weather conditions
The Gréoliéres flying site benefits from regular updrafts and almost constant sunshine, making the weather perfect and flights enjoyable all year round. These conditions are particularly appreciated for thermal flights, allowing you to extend your experience at altitude. A unique take-off site close to the Verdon valley, which for the more adventurous will give you a thrill and an adrenalin rush.
Castellane and the Gorges du Verdon: A Natural Jewel of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
Situated at the gateway to the spectacular Gorges du Verdon, Castellane is an ideal starting point for exploring one of France's most beautiful natural sites. Nestling in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence (04), this small town, steeped in history and surrounded by breathtaking scenery, is a must-visit destination for lovers of nature, adventure and heritage.
Castellane: A village of Provençal charm
Castellane is much more than just a stopover for visitors to the Gorges du Verdon. This Provencal village in the heart of the mountains offers a unique blend of history, culture and nature.
1. Le Roc de Castellane
It's impossible to miss the majestic Roc de Castellane, towering 184 metres above the town. This rocky promontory is home to the Notre-Dame-du-Roc chapel, which can be reached after a pleasant hike. From the summit, there is an exceptional panoramic view of the village, the surrounding mountains and the entrance to the gorges.
2. A rich historical heritage
- The narrow streets of Castellane are packed with medieval remains, including the Tour Pentagonale, the last vestige of the old fortifications.
- The lively Place Marcel Sauvaire, lined with cafés, is the heart of the village and a great place to stroll.
3. An ideal starting point for activities
Castellane is a great base for exploring the region: hiking, white-water sports, climbing, paragliding - the possibilities are endless. At the entrance to the Verdon canyon, outdoor tourism is very important here.
Looking for a bit of nature near the Verdon? Take a trip around the lake!
Many of you come to Castellane to discover the Verdon and the surrounding area, a playground that stretches from Lac d'Allos to the Plateau de Valensole via Saint André les Alpes. Let's start with the Lac d'Allos at 2228m, the largest natural lake in Europe, which offers a wide range of activities: canyoningThere's plenty to do here, including summer sledging, mountain biking, fishing, horse-riding, hiking and climbing, as well as yoga, fitness and wellness. The Verdon rises not far from Lac d'Allos and flows down towards Saint André les Alpes to form its first lake (an artificial one), and not the least: Lac de Castillon. During the summer season, the lake is at its highest level, making it ideal for paddle-boating, pedal-boating or simply swimming! You'll find some lovely wild spots by the water to picnic and cool off in the afternoon. Let's continue down the Verdon towards Castellane, the tourist centre for the area. Here you'll find a lovely little market, plenty of restaurants and nature sports centres to book your activities. Next up are the Gorges du Verdon, home to climbing, rafting, canyoning, hiking, paragliding and via-ferrata. They lead to the Sainte Croix lake and the villages of Aiguine and Moustier Sainte Marie, which are also beautiful places to visit. Many beautiful paragliding baptisms are from Mont Denier with a magnificent view of the Valensol plateau and the lake. And it's nothing like flying in a gyrocopter, paramotor or helicopter. first flight in a paraglider is an unprecedented sensation of freedom, the soothing calm of soaring through the air is nothing like motorised air sports. You're in direct contact with the elements and nothing can stop you! The best time to paragliding In spring and summer, our detailed weather forecast gives us an idea of the meeting time the day before the outing.
Paragliding in the Verdon
The Gorges du Verdon, nicknamed the "Grand Canyon of Europe", offer a spectacular setting for paragliding. Nestling in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence département, these 700-metre-deep gorges are an exceptional playground for paragliding enthusiasts. However, many sites such as Gréolieres are just as spectacular, with views of the sea and the Mercantour.
The launch sites overlooking the valley offer paragliders remarkable aerological conditions. The most popular take-off points are at Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, La Palud-sur-Verdon and Trigance, offering breathtaking views of the turquoise canyon and towering cliffs. Numerous first paragliding flights near castellane are possible.
Experienced pilots particularly appreciate the updrafts that form along the rock faces. Early summer and autumn weather conditions are generally the most favourable, with stable winds and optimum visibility. The thermals allow you to soar above the gorges, offering a feeling of absolute freedom and unique panoramic views of the Verdon Regional Nature Park.
Paragliding in this area requires technical expertise and a thorough knowledge of local conditions. Pilots must be particularly vigilant due to the rugged terrain and rapidly changing weather conditions.
For beginners and professionals alike, the Gorges du Verdon and the surrounding area are one of the most prestigious and spectacular paragliding spots in France.
Prices for paragliding first flights in the Verdon ?
Our first paragliding flights between the Verdon and the Côte d'Azur are accessible to all. From the age of 4 to 70, you can fly accompanied by an instructor. Our price are between 90 and 250 euros, depending on the package chosen. Gréolieres is still the best place to go paragliding Castellane. Our paragliding school is also a great place for training, with a complete range of tools to help you discover free flight. The aim is above all to have fun and learn in a fun way, with methods adapted to everyone and in complete safety.
Where are the Gorges du Verdon?
The Gorges du Verdon are located in south-east France, in the heart of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, straddling the departments of Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Var with the small town of Verdon in the middle. village of Castellane.. This spectacular canyon stretches for around 25 kilometres between the communes of Castellane and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, in the Verdon Regional Nature Park.
Geologically, these gorges have been sculpted by the Verdon River over millions of years, carving a deep gash in the limestone plateau of the Haute-Provence Plateau. The site is framed by the Alpine and Provencal massifs, offering an imposing landscape between the peaks and the deep valley.
